The performance of conventional, fixed bridgework, retained by partial coverage crowns.

A retrospective study was carried out on 248 partial coverage retained fixed bridges, in 211 patients. All were inserted at an undergraduate dental clinic and their length of service ranged from 1 to 19 years. In 211 prostheses, on which current information was available a total of 20 (9.5%) bridges had failed. The reasons for failure were loss of retention and, to a lesser extent, caries. Using a LIFE TABLE of survival, it was calculated that the percentage of short span, partial veneer retained prostheses that would survive TEN years was 76.5% +/- 5.99% (standard error). This figure is comparable to that quoted for resin-bonded bridges, and hence would militate against the use of conventional partial coverage fixed retainers on intact teeth. Where abutment teeth are heavily restored, full coverage retainers provide a more predictable, long term result.